Automatic hemming unit



July 6, 1965 R. s. TIMM AUTOMATIC HEMMING UNIT Filed Aug. 15. 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6, 1965 R. G. TIMM AUTOMATIC HEMMING UNIT 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15. 1961 July 6, 1965 R. e. TIMM AUTOMATICHEMMING UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet I 3 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 lllll Ill July 6,1965 TIMM 3,192,885

AUTOMATIC HEMMING UNIT Filed Aug. 15, 1961 5 Sheet s-Sheet 4 July 6,1965 R. e. TIMM 3,192,885

' AUTOMATIC HEMMING UNIT Filed Aug. 15, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGJI. 1

production of T shirts, polo shirts and the like.

form the exposed face of the fabric.

j 3,192,885 Patented July 6, 1965 3,192,885 AUTQMATIC HEMMENG UNITRoderick G. Timm, Harris Mills, Inc, 6 Johnes St, Newhurgh, N.Y. FiledAug. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 131,552 21 Claims. (Cl. 112-2) This inventionrelates to an automatic unit for feeding successive flat work pieces toa sewing machine for the production of a hem along one edge of each ofthe successive work pieces. It is particularly concerned with theprovision of a blindstitched hem along one edge of each work piece. Theinvention is of special utility in the hemming of relatively thin workpieces having a tendency toward curling along the edges. An example ofthe type of Work for which the machine is exceptionally well adapted isthe hemming of the ends of sleeve forming sections produced from knitfabrics, such as are employed in the However, the invention has abroader application and is adapted for the production of exceptionallyneat hems in a variety of types of articles and at various points insuch articles. It may be used, for example, in the hemming of pockets.

Basically, the unit comprises a table structure having an L-shape topwith a conveyor belt of suitable construction adapted to move along thesurface of a platform mounted on the table top and extendinglongitudinally of the longer arm of the table top. At a suitable pointalong the forward side of the belt, i.e., that side toward the operatorof the unit, there is provided a suitable folder adapted toautomatically fold the forward-edge of the work piece into an S or a Zform for the production of the hem. The inward portion of the folderrests upon the belt, while the outward portion of the folder overhangsthe edge of the belt and rests upon the platform. From the delivery endof the folder the work piece is fed beneath the pressure foot and intocooperation with the feeding mechanism of the sewing machine. Thiscarries the work to and through the stitching zone at which suitablestitch forming mechanism serves to secure the hem portion of the fabricto the main body of thelatter and simultaneously apply an overedge lineof stitching to conceal and protect the free edge of the hem. Just inadvance of the stitch forming mechanism there is preferably pro vided anedge trimming mechanism which trims the free edge of the hem before itis incorporated in the seam.

In the preferred operation of the unit, the folder is adapted to deliverthe Work piece to the stitch forming mechanism along a path which causesthe needle of the stitch forming mechanism to pass its thread through afold in the work piece so that the overturned hem portion is united withthe main body of the fabric by a line of stitching which is not visibleat the surface which will Thus there is provided a line of,blindstitching, and simultaneously an overedge seam is formed over thefree edge of the fabric.

To facilitate and insure the proper folding of the fabric to produce thedesired hem, and to enable the sewing machine to form the line ofblindstitching, it has been found highly desirable to provide means forprojecting streams of low pressure air across the edge of the work pieceas it is being advanced through the folder. This not only facilitatesthe folding operation and overcomes the curling tendency of the edge ofthe Work piece, but it also assists in advancing the material throughthe folder. The latter is accomplished by reducing the frictionalresistance to the movement of the fabric through the folder and by sodirecting the air stream that it has a component in the direction ofadvance of the work pieces. The provision of such air streams makes itunnecessary for the operator of the unit to exercise extreme care orskill in supplying the successive workpieces to the work table andconveyor belt, or to assist in advancing the work toward the stitchforming mechanism. This gives rise to the great advantage of eliminatingthe necessity of long training periods for operators of the unit and italso makes possible the employment of less skilled operators than arenormally required for the production of neat hems of the charactermentioned above with conventional sewing apparatus.

A special feature of the invention is the provision of a folder whichmaybe readily removed from and replaced in the region of the sewingmachine without the necessity of employing any tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, or the like. The folder may simply be grasped by onehand and a spring catch removed by the other hand to enable the folderto be lifted from the sewing machine and the work table. Thisfacilitates any adjustments which it may be found desirable to make inthe folding attachment. For example, a single folder may be adapted toproduce a hem which may vary between, say, one-quarter inch and one inchin width. If desired, a folder may be provided which will permit evengreater variation in the width of the hem. Removal of the folder alsofacilitates its adjustment to accommodate work pieces of differentthicknesses. In this connection, it may be mentioned that the forward ordelivery end of the folder carries a member-that is provided with a Vnotch arranged to engage a retaining screw extending upwardly from anedge guide provided on the sewing machine. This edge guide may beadjusted laterally of the line of stitch formation to vary slightly thedistance inwardly'of the fold line of the work that the needle will bepassed therethrough. So also, an edge provided on the folder, and overwhich the work is automatically folded, may be adjusted laterally toprovide a suitable space between such edge and the cooperating surfaceof the edge guide of the sewing machine, to allow free passage ofdifferent thicknesses of work between them. This eliminates the dangerof jamming of the material between the indicated edge of the folder andthe guide surface of the edge guide. It also guards against theprovision of too wide a space between these surfaces which would resultin the production of a seam that varies from point to point, to a slightextent, in its distance from the folded edge of the hem. 7

Since, as explained above, the delivery end of the folder is retained infixed relation to the edge guide of the sewing machine, any adjustmentof such edge guide will produce a corresponding adjustment of theposition of the delivery ends of the foldproducing edges of the folder.Only a slight variation is permitted, through adjustment of thespecified member. adjacent the delivery end of the folder, between theguide surface on the edge guide of the sewing machine and thecooperating fold edge of the folder. 'In the normal operation of theunit contemplated by the invention, the operator is simply required toapply the successive work pieces to the conveyor belt and a portion ofthe work table in a reasonably accurate position. capable of applyingthe work pieces in this manner atia rate to keep up with thesubstantially continuous operation of the sewing machine andthe'conveyor belt. The operator very quickly learns how to position thework pieces so that a thread chain of only about one-half to threeinches is produced between the trailing end of one work piece and theforward end of the. next work piece. Thus, with a sewing machineoperating at a speed of say 4,000 r.p.m., a relatively unskilled workercan turn out a quite large quantity of hemmed workpieces in the courseof a day.

Another special feature, of the invention is the provision of a knotdetector in the line of transmission of It has been found that .anunskilled operator is for operation again very speedily.

the needle thread. The special arrangement for this purpose, to beherein described, involves the provision of a mercury switch on a memberthrough which the needle thread passes. This arrangement is such thatwhen the knot in the thread engages the member carrying the mercuryswitch, the member is rocked sufiiciently to close the switch and thusclose a circuit through a buzzer or light to warn the operator of thepresence of the knot, However, after rocking the member the knot ispermitted to pass through and thus enable the continued supply of threadto the sewing machine. By locating the knot detector three or four feetaway from the eye of the needle of the sewing machine, adequate time isgiven to the operator to throw a switch for stopping the operation ofthe unit or to simply rock the control treadle for the same purpose. Asthe operator becomes more skilled in the operation of the unit, he maybe able to gauge the time required to complete the stitching of the workpiece being seamed at the time the signal is energized and then stop theoperation of the unit before the knot reaches the needle. Stopping of.the unit enables the operator to draw a knot cautiously through the eyeof the needle, without thread breakage or other damage, and thus placethe unit in condition Should the knot or other obstruction in the threadbe too large to be drawn carefully through the eye of the needle, thethread may be broken adjacent the needle and the latter re-threaded tocontinue the operation of the unit. If desired, the mercury switch couldbe placed in the circuit of a relay adapted in a suitable manner tobring about the automatic stoppage of the unit.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the same whichwill now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichFIG. 1 is a perspective view of the major portion of the apparatus asseen from the front, i.e. the side on which the operator is stationed,looking toward the right and rear;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus, looking towardthe rear and the leftend thereof;

FIG. 3 is a detail view, in perspective, showing the knot detector;

FIG. 4- is a plan view of the forward portion of the apparatus in theregion of the work folding means and the sewing machine, with three workpieces shown in broken lines;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the folder taken along the line5-5 of FIG. 4, with a work piece shown in broken lines;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the folder taken along the line6--6 of FIG. 4, the work piece being shown in broken lines;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the special folder;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a work piece, showing the form which itassumes asits leading end approaches the downstream end of the folder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a work piece after it has passed throughthe sewing machine;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the throat plate of the sewing machine,showing the edge guide, the stitch forming mechanism and the workfeeding mechanism in relation thereto; and

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a portion of the sewing machine,showing the edge trimming mechanism and adjacent parts.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is' particularlyadapted for the automatic hemming 'of one edge of a series of workpieces successively and continuously applied to a conveyor by anoperator of the machine. The hemmed work pieces, which are advancedautomatically through the apparatus as they are sup plied one afteranother to the conveyor, are suited, for example, for the production ofsleeves for T-shirts, polo shirts and the like. The entire apparatus iscarried by a sturdy table or work support having an L-shaped top It)mounted upon an appropriate leg structure 11 adapted to be firmlyretained in a set position in a mill. Disposed for movement along thetop surface of a platform 1% mounted a suitable distance above thelonger arm of the L-shaped table top 1 is the upper run of an endlessconveyor belt 12. The lower or return run of the belt passes beneath theplatform and along the upper surface of the table top. This conveyorbelt may suitably be formed of canvas or other relatively coarse fabricadapted for frictional engagement with the major portion of the bottomface of the successive work pieces applied to the upper run.

Mounted on the shorter arm of the L-shaped table top is a sewing machine13 of a construction adapted to produce a line of stitching along thefolded hem, such as an overedge stitch, preferably of the two-threadtype. If desired, however, the seam may be formed by a single thread orby more than two threads. The machine illustrated in the drawings, andwhich has been found exceptionally well suited for the purposes of theinvention, is of the type sold by the Union Special Machine Company asstyle 39500F, or it may be of the slightly moditied style 39500-13. Bothof these machines have stitch forming, work feeding and edge trimmingmechanism of the general character disclosed in the patent to Wallenberget al., No. 2,704,042, granted Mar. 15, 1955. For the formation of atwo-thread stitch, the underlooper is a thread carrying element whilethe overedge stitch forming element is simply a spreader. Briefly, asshown in PEG. 10, the machine has a throat plate 13a over which the workis intermittently advanced by feed dogs 13]; in the manner disclosed insaid Wallenberg et al. patent. The free edge of the folded work piece istrimmed in the region of the throat plate by a movable cutter head 13d(FIG. 11) having a cutter blade 13a adapted to cooperate withastationary blade 13 carried by the frame of the machine. For furtherdetails of the trimmer see the above-mentioned patent to Wallenberg ctal. As the work pieceis advanced by the feed dogs of the sewing machineit is brought into cooperation with the overedge stitch formingmechanism, comprising a curved needle 13g, an underlooper 1312 and anoveredge looper or spreader 13 The machine is provided with an edgeguide 13k (FIGS. 4 and 10) for guiding the folded edge of a piece ofwork to be hemmed, this guide being of the character disclosed in FIGS.7-10 of the patent to Hale et al., No..2,959,227 granted Sept. 13, 1960.The small, overhanging head 14 of the machine, which carries the springfor applying a downward force to a presser foot 14a, is disposed at anangle to the work supporting surface of the machine, as shown in saidHale et al. patent. Then hem folder shown in said patent, however, isomitted from the machine embodied in the present invention and isreplaced by a special hem folder 15 (FIG. 7) constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

For driving the sewing machine, and also the conveyor belt, there isprovided a motor and clutch unit 16 (FIG. 1), commonly referred to as atransmitter. This unit is mounted beneath the table top and may suitablybe suspended from the undersurface of the table top by suitablebrackets. A treadle 17 is rockably mounted on a rod or shaft 17a carriedby the leg structures of the table support. By a suitable connection17!) from the treadle to a lever 17c carried by the motor and clutchunit, a drive connection may be eifected from the continuously runningmotor to the sewing machine and conveyor belt. Thus a motor and clutchunit, of the type shown in the patent to Ingalls No. 2,739,251, grantedMarch 20, 1956, may be provided between the motor and a pulley 17d onthe clutch which is connected by a belt 17a with a pulley 17) on themain shaft of the sewing machine. The arm is adapted to be rockeddownwardly by the connection from the treadle for the purpose ofoperating the clutch. When the treadle is operated, and the clutch isthereby engaged, the pulley 17d connected with the driven shaft of theclutch unit is rotated. This pulley is connected by the belt 17c withthe combined handwheel and pulley 17 f secured to the drive shaft of thesewing machine. Thus, when the clutch is engaged the sewing machine willbe driven at its usual high speed. When the pressure on the treadle isreleased by the operator, the clutch will be disengaged and the drivenshaft of the clutch unit will be quickly stopped by the brake meansshown in the Ingalls patent. a

The conveyor belt 12 should be driven at a rate corre spending with therate of advance of the work by the feed mechanism of the sewing machine.This maybe accomplished either through an appropriate direct connectionfrom the transmitter or through a suitable connection from the mainshaft 18 of the sewingmachine. In either case, appropriate speedreducing mechanism 19 should be employed in the driving connections forthe conveyor belt. As illustrated, the conveyor belt is driven from themain shaft of the sewing machine. This shaft, as shown at 18 in FIGS. 1and 2, projects outwardly from the handwheel and pulley 17 The shaft 18is connected with the input end of the speed reducing mechanism 19 whichhas an output shaft extending through the top of its housing. A pulley20 is connected with the output shaft and this pulley is connected by abelt 21 with a pulley 22 adjustably mounted on a bracket 23 secured tothe top of the table. A lever 24 pivotally mounted at its lower end onthe bracket carries a stud 25, at an intermediate point, on which thepulley 22 is rotatably mounted. Lever 24 may be locked in adjustedposition by a wing nut 24a. The belt 21 and the cooperating groove inpulley 22 are of V or trapezoidal formation in crosssection so that theadjustment referred to above, which tends to tighten the belt somewhat,will bring about some variation in the extent to which the belt entersthe V groove in the pulley. In this way a slight variation is broughtabout in the effective diameter of pulley 22. By decreasing itseffective diameter its angular speed of rotation will be correspondinglyincreased. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to vary suchspeed of rotation to any great extent, since the speed reducing gearingor mechanism is adapted to bring about the desired coordination of therate of advance of the conveyor belt and the rate of advance of the workpieces by the feed mechanism of the sewing machine.

Connected with the pulley 22, for rotation therewith, is a second pulley25a which is connected by the belt 26 with a pulley 27, secured to ashaft 28 carried by suitable brackets 29 and 39 mounted on the tabletop. It will be observed that shifting of the lever 24 to tighten thebelt 21 will simultaneously impart a corresponding slack to the belt 25so that the pulley will impart a slightly greater linear speed toconveyor 12. Conversely shifting the lever 24 to loosen belt 21 willimpart a tightening to belt 26. 1

and in turn will impart a slightly less linear speed to conveyor belt12. Shaft 28 carries a roller 31 around which the delivery end of theconveyor belt 12 is passed in frictiorl driving relation. The oppositeend of the conveyor belt is passed around a roller 32 secured to a shaft33 preferably supported at its opposite ends by ball or roller bearingunits 34 carried by brackets 35 mounted on the table top adjacent theleft end thereof. Through the speed reducing gearing 19, and theappropriate adjustment of the pulley 22, the rate of advance of theconveyor 12 may be made to coincide with or have some slightly differentrelation to, the rate of advance of the work by the feed mechanism ofthe sewing machine. While the latter is intermittent and the conveyormovement is continuous, it has been found that the slight yielding ofthe needle and of the fabric being stitched is such as to compensate forthis condition. In practice it has 6 been found desirable to have therate of advance of the belt slightly less than the feed rate of thesewing machine, but the two rates may be made equal. It appearsundesirable to have the belt advance at a greater rate than the feedrate of the machine.

Spaced from the edge of the top run of the conveyor belt 12, on the sidethereof toward the operator, there is provided a guide 36 to assist theoperator in properly applying the successive work pieces to the conveyorbelt and its supporting platform. This guide is so positioned that ifthe edge of the work to be hemmed is placed in substantially abuttingrelation to the guide, the work piece will be properly alined with thefolding, trimming and stitch forming mechanism. The guide may be in theform of an angle member having a vertically extending guide surfacepositioned in the manner explained, or it may merely be.in the form of acord or wire, or even a line drawn upon the top surface of the platform10a. It is not necessary that the operator use extreme accuracy in theplacing of the work pieces on the'conveyor belt, since the trimmingmechanism of the sewing machine will readily trim off a certain amountof the. free edge of each work piece as it is advanced to the stitchforming zone. Of course, it is desirable not to bring about the trimmingof an excessive width of the fabric in this operation, but it isdesirable to insure that a certain amount of the fabric will be trimmedoff, to provide a straight edge of the fabric to be incorporated in theoveredge blindstitch to be applied to the work.

In the use of the apparatus the operator will be seated in front of thelong arm of the L-shaped table top at the I point where the treadle 17-is located. The apparatus will be set into operation by closing a switch37 ,(FIG. 1) provided on a control box 38 beneath the table top, thisswitch serving to place the motor of the motor and clutch unit incircuit with a source of electricity. When the operator is ready to feedsuccessive work pieces to the machine, the treadle 17 will be depressedto engage the clutch of the driving unit and thus bring about thedriving of the sewing machine 13 and also the conveyor belt 12.Successive work pieces will then be applied to the conveyor belt with aportion extending forwardly toward the operator beyond the longitudinaledge of the belt onto a portion of the surface of the platform 16a. Theconveyor belt will then carry the successive work pieces to and throughthe folder 15 and deliver them to the feed dogs 13b of the sewingmachine. As each work piece is stitched to provide the overedgeblindstitch seam, it will be carried toward 'the right by the conveyorbelt while the sewing machine continues to operate and forms a threadchain between the trailing edge of the completed work piece and theforward end of the succeeding work piece. It has been found thatrelatively unskilled operators are able to apply successive work piecesto the conveyor belt, in the manner explained, at an adequate rate toinsure that the thread chain mentioned will not exceed 2 or 3" inlength.

As a succession of work pieces passes through the hem folding andstitching mechanism, the work pieces may be discharged by gravity fromthe delivery end of the conveyor belt 12 into a basket, or the like, forsubsequent severing of the interconnecting thread chains and delivery tothe next point of operation on the work pieces. If desired, suitablemeans may be provided adjacent the delivery end of the conveyor belt forcuttingthe thread chains and other means may be provided for stackingthe individual work pieces as they are discharged from the conveyorbelt. a

The improved folder 1S embodiedin the units of the invention will now bedescribed in detail. In a typical construction it is about 16" long andcomprises a pair of members 40 and 41 (see FIG. 7) which are connectedtogether adjacent the receiving end of the folder by a bracket 42 whichis permanently secured by welding,

.anaasss soldering, or the like, to the under surface of the member 41and extends outwardly from the latter, toward the operator of themachine, then upwardly and then rearwardly at a suitable elevation,about 3", over the tops of the two members 40 and 41. At its rearwardend it is provided with an elongated opening 42a in a foot portion 42bengaged with the top surface of member 49, and a screw 420 is providedto secure the bracket to the members 4h. The arrangement is such thatthe receiving or left ends of the members, as seen from the position ofthe operator, are made relatively adjustable in a lateral direction to aslight extent by virtue of the elongated slot 42a. Adjacent the deliveryends of the members 40 and 41 they are interconnected by a bracket 43having two cooperating parts 43a and 43b. lart 43a is secured by screws43c, or the like, to the upper surface of the member 46, while the part43d is secured to the under surface of the member 41 by welding,soldering, or the like. Each part of this bracket has a portionextending upwardly from the longitudinal edge of the member to which itis secured and has a portion extending horizontally over one or both ofthe members 4t and 41 at a distance 2" to 2 /2 above the upper surfaceof the latter. the parts 43a and 43!) are arranged for adjustableconnection, as by the provision of an elongated slot 43d in part 43b anda screw 432 passing through said slot and having screw threadedengagement with the horizontal portion of part 43a. This relativeadjustment of the two parts of the bracket described provides forvariation in the width of the hem to be provided in the work piece as itis fed through the sewing machine. The width of the hem may be variedbetween any suitable limits, such as A" to 1.

Member 40 is formed of two flat, relatively stiff strips of metal, suchas brass. The upper strip has been designated 49 and the lower strip40a, this extending slightly beyond the upper strip in the directionfrom which the work pieces approach the folder. Also, this upstreamextension of the strip 40a is bent upwardly at a suitable angle toinsure the passage of the work pieces beneath it as they are carriedalong by the conveyor belt 12. Between the two strips 40 and 40a is abar 46b, formed of any suitable material, which serves to retain the twostrings 'in spaced relation, preferably about A" apart. The bar 40b isnarrower than the strips 49 and dim and preferably has one edge flushwith the outer or rearward edge of the two strips 4% and 443a, while itsinner edge extends parallel with the forward edge of strip 49a, overwhich the work piece is folded in the manner shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.That portion of the strip 4% which extends from a point approximatelybeneath racket 42 to the delivery end of the folder is provided with anedge parallel with the two edges of the bar 4%. It is this edge overwhich the work is folded to provide the fold line through which theblindstitching operation take place. The corresponding edge of strip 49is preferably spaced laterally toward the rear, as viewed from theposition of the operator, a distance of about A" for about one-half totwo-thirds of the length thereof from the receiving end of the folder.From this point on, this edge of strip 40 is gradually angled outwardlyin the direction toward the operator, and adjacent the deliveryend ofthe folder it is disposed about A" or more forwardly, i.e. toward theoperator, of the corresponding edge of strip 40a.

Member 41 is formed of a single strip of suitable metal, such as brass.It has its receiving end 41a curled slightly downwardly substantiallyinto engagement with the top surface of the platform a. This is toinsure that the work will pass upwardly over the top of the member 41 asit is advanced by the conveyor belt. Adjacent the receiving end of thefolder the inner edge 41b of the member, 41 i.e. the edge away from theoperator, is spaced laterally from the adjacent edges of the strips 46and The horizontally extending portions of 40a. 7 However, at a pointabout two-thirds of the distance from the receiving to the discharge endof the folder, the inner edge 41!; of member 41 passes between the twostrips 46 and 40a and enters the slot provided between those strips toan extent depending upon the adjustment of the brackets 4-2 and 43a,4312. It is the inner edge 41b of the member 41, in the region adjacentthe discharge end of the folder, that determines the position of theupper fold of the S-folded edge of the work piece and thus determinesthe width of the hem to be formed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that as the work iece is advancedthrough the folder it rides beneath the bottom of the strip 49a and overthe top of the member 41. A slight downward pressure is applied by thestrip 4 3:: against the work piece to hold it against the conveyor belt12, this pressure being only a fraction of the gravitational forceacting on the folder. In the course of its advance it is first foldedover the inner or forward edge of strip Mia, i.e. the edge toward theoperator, and is then folded over the inner or adjacent edge 41b of themember 41 to provide the S-fold mentioned.

For retaining the folder in proper position in relation to the platformEtta, the conveyor beit l2 and the sewing machine 13, resilient meansadapted to permit ready re moval of the folder are preferably provided.Such resilent means comprises a bracket 44, preferably formed of steel.This bracket has a foot portion 44:: which is adapted for slightadjustment in relation to the member -tl of the folder. For this purposethe foot portion 44a may be provided with enlarged or elongated openingsarranged to receive the shanks of screws 4412 having threaded engagementwith the members 4'9 and 4%. As will be made clear. by the descriptionof other parts, this adjustment of the bracket 44 in relation to thefolder insures proper action of the latter in dealing with work piecesof different thicknesses. it serves to provide proper clearance of thefold in the work piece between the forward edge of strip 40:: and theedge guide of the sewing machine. Bracket 44 has an upwardly extendingbranch and then a horizontally extending branch, substantially parallelwith the bracket 43, and then a further downwardly extending branchwhich is twisted through an angle of and has its lower end projectinghorizontally toward the delivery end of the folder. The outer end of thehorizontal extension 440 is provided with a V-notch 44:! which isadapted to cooperate with a screw 44a (FIGS. 4 and 1(9) secured to thetop of the edge guide 13k provided on the sewing machine. This edgeguide may be of the character shown in the patent to Hale et al., No.2,952,227, and is provided with a knurled screw member 13m (FIG. 10) foradjusting the position of the guide laterally of the line of stitchformation. It will be understood that the folder shown as mounted on theedge guide of the Hale et al. patent is omitted from the presentconstruction, and the knee press connections for shifting the edge guideshown in said patent are also preferably omitted. The horizontalextension 4 is retained resiliently against the shank of the screw dds.If desired, the screw 44a may be provided with an enlarged head at itsupper end which urges the end of extension 440 downwardly. By slightadjustment of the screw Me, if so constructed, the elevation of thedischarge end of the folder may be varied slightly and a suitabledownward pressure may be applied to the folded work piece just as itleaves the folder and is being delivered to the presser foot and workfeeding mechanism of the sewing machine.

Toward the receiving end of the folder there is provided an upwardlyextending rod 45 which is firmly secured in any suitable manner to themember 49 of the folder, but without any projection of the same throughthe bottom of the strip or member 494;. This rod is arranged tocooperate with a V-notch 46 .1 in a steel bracket member 46 which issecured to the top of the work table and has an upwardly extendingbranch and then a horizontally ex- 9 tending branch which extends overthe platform 10a and conveyor belt 12 to the rod 45. The horizontallyextending branch urges the folder downstream to retain V-notch 44dfirmly against screw 44a. It will thus be seen that the folder isdefinitely held in a predetermined position, but in a somewhat resilientfashion, by the springy brackets adjacent the receiving and dischargeends of the folder.

To insure proper movement of the work pieces through the folder and toinsure the proper folding of the edge portion of each work piece intothe S-shaped fold mentioned, it has been found highly desirable toprovide means tending to overcome the curling tendency of the fabric andto assist in urging the edge portion thereof into the desired S-fold.While various expedients could be employed for this purpose, it has beenfound very effective to employ meansfor blowing a stream or streams ofair laterally across the folder as the work is being advanced. Thus ablower '47 having a small driving motor 47:: is arranged to blow astream of air at a suitable rate, mainly in a direction transversely ofthe length of the folder but preferably slightly in the direction ofadvance of the work piece. Motor 47a is connected by an electric cord47d with a switch box 47e that is in turn connected into the switch box38. Thus the blower 47 may be turned on and off independently of thedelivery of current to the motor and clutch unit 16. The blower isprovided with an intake opening 47b which may be adjusted to vary theeffective size of the opening and in this way vary .the volume of airthat is blown toward the work. This enables adjustment of the stream ofair so blown to conform with the characteristics of the fabric beingsubjected to the overedge blindstitching operation. The blower 47 ispreferably also adjustable about its axis to vary the angle at which thestream of air is discharged through outlet 470 in relation to ahorizontal plane. Generally it will be found desirable to direct thestream slightly downwardly from the horizontal toward the uppersurfaceof an extension 410 of the member 41, this extension being bentdownwardly into engagement with the top of the platform 10a. The airstriking this surface passes beneath the adjacent edge of the advancingwork piece and blows it away from the side of the platform at which theoperator is stationed and slightly forwardly in the direction of advanceof the work. This serves to fold the fabric over a wire 48 as well asover the inner edge of strip 4ila, and tends to overcome any curling ofthe edge of the fabric. The wire 48 has one end connected by a screw 48ato the top of the bracket 42. From this point the wire is bent into aloop 48b extending toward the receiving end of the folder, to a pointslightly beyond the receiving end, with the lower branch of the loop ina position above the receiving end of member 41 of the folder andextending toward the delivery end of the folder. At a point beneath thetop of bracket 42, the lower branch of the wire 48 is positioned about/2" above the top surface of member 41 and it then extends in asubstantially horizontal direction to a point at which it is connectedwith the member 40 by means of a screw 48c. As will be seen from FIGS. 4and 7, the active portion of the Wire 48 over which the portion of thework piece to be hemmed is blown, extends across the gap providedbetween the members 40 and 41 at an angle of about to the edge of thestrip 40a over which the fold of the work to be blindstitched is bent.As the work advances, the stream of air discharged by the blower 47continues to retain the free edge portion of the fabric over the wire 48until it reaches a point slightly in advance of the retaining screw 48c.From about this point on, the fabric is forced by the inner edge ofmember 41 of the folder into the groove between the strips 40 and 40a tocomplete the S-shaped fold. The folded edge of the fabric disappearsfrom sight when it reaches a point in the region of the bracket 44,being then concealed within the folder.

It has also been found desirable to provide a second blower 49, drivenby its own electric motor 49a and preferably provided with means forvarying the intake opening -to adjust the volume of air blown againstthe work piece. Motor 49a is connected into the switch box 47e' by acord 4% and receives current therefrom as the switch is closed. Blower49 preferably has an extension 490 (FIG. 4), at its discharge end, whichis adapted to direct at least a portionof the air into the space beneaththe member 41 and into the channel formed between the latter and theupper surface of strip 40a, thus continuing to assist folding in thefree edge of the fabric .over the inner or forward edge of the strip 40.This air stream also is directed slightly downstream of the folder andtherefore assist in advancing the work piece. The air stream serves tofacilitate the free movement of the work within the channel describedand insures proper formation of the desired S-shaped fold with the freeedge of the work extending slightly beyond, i.e. toward the operator,the lower fold edge of the S configuration, as shown in FIG. 6.

As the work piece is discharged from the delivery end of the folder itis passed over the throat plate 13a of the sewing machine and beneaththe forward end of the usual presser foot of the latter. By appropriateadjustment of the screw 13m of the edge guide of the sewing machine, theproper delivery of the work to the stitch forming devices for productionof the desired blindstitch may be insured. After the work piece has beenpassed between the presser foot and the throat plate, and thuspositioned for cooperation with the feed dogs of the sewing machine, thework is largely advanced under the control of the latter. It is thensubjected to a trimming operation to trim the free edge of the foldedwork piece to extend only slightly and to a uniform extent beyond thelower fold line of the work that has been advanced along the edge guideof the sewing machine. Subsequent to this, the stitch forming mechanismapplies an overedge blindstitch to the work of the character shown inthe patent to Riviere, No. 2,067,680, granted Jan. 12, 1937, and asshown at W in FIG. 9 hereof.

In FIG. 4 there is shown, in broken outline, three successive workpieces W, which are at different stages in the course of movementthrough the folder and the stitching region of the unit. In the actualoperation of the machine, a skilled operator may be able to apply thesuccessive work pieces to the conveyor belt to cause them to movethrough the folding and stitch forming means in a quite close spacingindicated in FIG. 4. A less skilled operator may require a greaterdistance between the trailing end of one work piece and the forward endof the next work piece.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show, in perspective, the condition of a work piece W attwo different stages in its passage through the unit. Thus, FIG. 8 showsthe work piece in the condition it assumes at the time the leading ordownstream end approaches the corresponding end of the folder and isabout to be introduced between the presser foot of the sewing machineand the throat plate thereof. As so shown, the work piece has a fold W"at its leading end which is ready to be advanced along the guide surfaceof the edge guide of the sewing machine. It also has an upper fold Wwhich is formed over the inner edge 41b of the plate 41 of the folder.The rest of the work piece is shown in the progressive positions whichthe portion being folded assumes in the course of advancing through thefolder. It will be understood that by the time the trailing end of thework piece reaches the discharge end of the folder, the work will havebeen provided with the two folds W and W" throughout its length. FIG. 9shows the work piece W in the condition which it assumes after it haspassed through the sewing machine. This 'is after the free edgeextending beyond the fold W" has been trimmed in the manner explainedand after the overedge stitching W has been applied thereto; also. thethread chains serving to connect the work piece with the next adjacentones in a succession of such pieces have been severed.

it has been found important, in connection with an automatic system ofthe character described above, to provide some means for eitherautomatically stopping the operation of the unit or for signaling theoperator when some condition arises that leads to the production ofdefective scams or prevents the production of any seam. A major cause ofdifiiculties of this character has been found to be the presence of aknot or other enlargement in the needle thread. When such an obstructionin the needle thread is encountered, it cannot be drawn through the eyeof the needle during the operation of the machine, with the result thatthe thread will break or, in some insome instances, the needle may bebroken. The location of the stitch forming mechanism of the sewingmachine is such that the needle thread is not clearly visible to theoperator in the course of supplying successive work pieces to the unit.For this reason it is possible that some malfunctioning of the machine,such as the breakage of the needle thread, will not be quickly noted bythe operator so that a number of work pieces may be incorrectlystitched, or not stitched at all, before the malfunctioning of themachine is noted. This, of course, entails considerable wastage of timeand material.

In accordance with the invention, therefore, provision is made forpromptly drawing to the attention of the operator the presence of a knotor other obstruction in the needle thread well in advance of itsdelivery to the eye of the needle. This is accomplished by the means tobe described for giving either a visual or audible signal as the knot orother obstruction reaches a point three or four feet away from theneedle. If desired, the arrangement may be such that the presence of theknot or other obstruction at the point indicated will automaticallybring about stoppage of the sewing machine and the conveyor belt.However, since an operator must be present for the purpose of applyingthe successive work pieces to the conveyor, in the manner explained,there is some advantage in having the knot detectin means simply operatea signal so that the operator may permit the machine to continue tooperate for a sufiicient length of time to bring about completion of thescam in the particular work piece that is passing through the stitchforming zone at the time the signal is given.

Turning now to a preferred embodiment'of the knot detecting feature ofthe invention, attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 3. Thread issupplied to the needle and the underlooper of the sewing machine,respectively, from' two thread cones i! and 51. These are mounted upon asuitable stand 52 carried by the table top of the unit. Also carried bythe table top and extending upwardly therefrom a substantial distance,say about 3 or 4', is a hollow post 53. Through this post there may beextended a portion of a cable 53a which serves to deliver current from asuitable source to the electric motor and clutch unit and to the twoblower units described above. Adjacent its upper end, the post 53carries a laterally extending bracket or arm 54 which is preferablybent, as indicated at 54a, to provide a V-shaped channel for the passageof thread Stla from the cone 5%, and is also bent at its outer end toprovide a U-shaped portion 54b forming another guide passage for saidthread. Intermediate the bent portions of the member 54 there is securedthereto a bracket 54c which carries a generally V-shaped member 54dadapted to rock freely about a rod 54:: carried by the bracket 54c. Onearm of the member 54d is provided, adjacent its outer or lower end witha clamp 54 adapted to retain a mercury switch 54g. The portion of thethread extending between the bent portions 54a and 54b of member 54 ispassed through a triangular opening 54h at the lower end of the longerarm of member 54d. A slot 54-2 extends through this arm of member 54d atthe upper end of the triangular opening 54/2. The arrangement is suchthat the thread will move freely 12, through the slot Edi, but when aknot or other enlargement on the thread is brought into cooperation withthe slot 541, and will not pass through the latter, it will rock themember 54d in a clockwise direction (FIG. 3). This will cause themercury switch 54g to be tilted downwardly from the clamp 54], ratherthan slightly upwardly as in the normal condition. The resulting flow ofthe mercury in the switch will close a circuit to be described. Whenmember 54d is rocked to close the circuit, the longer arm will be insuch a position that the thread is drawn downwardly frornthe slot 541'into the triangular opening 5412 so that the knot will pass on.

Thread 51a, drawn from the cone 51, is passed through suitable eyeletsor other guides carried by a laterally extending arm 57a of a bracket orrod 57 extending upwardly from the support 52. The two threads Stla and51a are passed downwardly from the arms 54 and 57a, respectively, to athread guide 55 carried by the sewing machine frame. This guide isprovided with a plurality of openings or notches through which each ofthe threads may be passed, the thread Sfia extending from the guide to atensioning device 56 carried by the sewing machine frame, and the thread51a extending from the guide 55 to a thread tensioning device 58 carriedby the sewing machine frame. It will be understood that other threadguides may be provided on the sewing machine for enabling properdelivery of the two threads to the needle and the underlooper of thesewing machine, respectively.

A battery 5% is mounted on the table top and has its terminals connectedinto a circuit for a suitable signaling device, such as a lamp or abuzzer 59a, or the like. A portion of this circuit is provided by acable or pair of wires 6t extending upwardly along the post 53 andsuitably clamped thereto by clamping elements 61 (FIG. 1). Two wires arethus carried to and along a portion of the arm 54 and they have theirfree ends connected with the terminals of the mercury switch 54g. Itwill be understood that other wires 60a extending from the battery willcomplete a circuit to the signaling device whenever the mercury switchis tilted in the manner explained, due to the presence of a knot orother enlargement in the thread being delivered to the slot 541'. Whenthe circuit is thus completed the operator is warned of the presence ofa knot, or the like, which will not pass through the eye of the needle.The location of the switch 54g at a substantial distance from the eye ofthe needle gives the operator ample time to act upon the warning andstop the operation of the machine, either by releasing pressure on thetreadle or by operating the switch 37 If desired, a detent may beprovided in the connections between the treadle and the clutch operatingarm to hold the clutch engaged without the necessity of constantpressure on the treadle. When this is done, the machine may be stoppedby simply releasing the detent.

In lieu of providing a battery for operating the signal means, a lowvoltage current for this purpose may be taken from the driving motor, inthe manner frequently done for lighting purposes, and the like. Orcurrent may be taken from the source which supplies the motor and asuitable transformer may be included in the circuit. A lamp 62,receiving current from any suitable source, is preferably provided toilluminate the sewing machine region of the unit.

It is believed that the mode of operation of the improved unit will beclear from the foregoing detailed description of an illustrativeembodiment of the invention. The operator is seated in front of the unitin the region of the treadle 17, after the needle and looper have been.

properly threaded and the unit is ready for operation. She then placessuccessive work pieces with their major portion on the conveyor belt 12with the forward edge of each work piece substantially along the line ofthe guide 36. A portionof each work piece thus extends beyond theforward edge of the belt, i.e., toward the operator, a certain distancebut is readily advanced along the top of the platform litia by theaction of the belt. So

long as the operator is able to keep up with the speed of operation ofthe sewing machine and the conveyor belt, she retains the treadle 17 inthe depressed position to maintain the sewing machine and conveyor beltin operation. The successive workpieces, spaced a few inches apart, arethen advanced through the folder and delivered to the sewing machine inproperly folded condition. The sewing machine then performs its edgetrimming and overedge blindstitching operation on the successive workpieces and provides a small length of thread chain be tween thesuccessive work pieces. Throughout this operation the blowers 47 and 4%will be maintained in operation to overcome any curling tendency of theedge of the work and to assist the folder in performing the desiredfolding operation. As the successive work pieces are discharged from thesewing machine they are deposited from the delivery end of the conveyorbelt into a basket, or the like, for subsequent handling. Ashereinbefore indicated, the unit may be provided with thread severingmeans adjacent the discharge end of the belt so as to disconnect thework pieces from each other. Also, suitable stacking means may beprovided for stacking the hemmed work pieces as they are discharged fromthe conveyor belt.

Whenever the knot detector is operated, by the presence of a knot in theneedle thread, the operator stops the operation of the unit, eitherduring the seaming of a particular work piece or upon the completion ofthe seaming of the work piece then going through the sewing machine ifample thread is available for this purpose between the needle of thesewing machine and the point at which the knot is detected by the device54. After stopping the unit the operator draws the needle thread throughthe eye of the needle, or breaks it if necessary adjacent the needle andthen rethreads the latter.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that various modificationsmay be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts ofthe unit without departing frornthe invention as set forth in theaccompanying claims. For example, the blowers may, if desired, belocated beneath the table top It and provided with conduits from theirdischarge ends adapted to direct the streams of air in the mannerdescribed.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of providing a blindst-itch seam in a folded edge of asuccession of work pieces which comprises applying successive workpieces in substantially fiat condition to .a supporting surface,advancing said supporting surface at the speed of formation of ablindstitch seam, and continuously advancing a succession of said workpieces with and by .the work supporting surface, folding an adge of eachwork piece which is parallel with the direction of movement of thelatter to provide an S-shaped fold therein as the work piece is beingadvanced, and applying a line of stitching through one of the folds ineach work piece as it is being advanced.

2. A method of the character set forth in claim 1 which includes thestep of trimming the free edge of the folded work piece parallel withand adjacent the. lower bend of the S-shaped fold provided therein asthe work piece is being advanced and prior to the application of saidstitching thereto.

3. A method of the character set forth in claim 1 which includes thestep of continuously blowing air laterally toward the edge of each workpiece as it is being folded into said S-form.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which the air blown laterally towardthe edge of the work piece is dirooted in two separate streams, thefirst stream being directed beneath the free edge of the work piece tofold it upwardly, and the second stream being directed into a region ofthe S-shaped fold to assist in forming this portion of the fold.

5. A method of the character set forth in claim 1 which includes thestep of applying a force to the edge portion of the work piece whollyindependently of the longitudinal movement of the work piece to causesaid edge portion to fold over the main body of the work piece along apredetermined line and simultaneously off: setting the curling tendencyof said edge portion of the work piece. 7 6. Apparatus for forming ablindstitch seam in a folded edge of each of a succession of work pieceswhich comprises a sewing machine having a throat plate, an elongatedWork support in the plane of said throat plate, means incorporated insaid apparatus for automatically 7 and continuously advancing asuccession of work pieces in spaced relation along the surface "of saidwork support and delivering the same to and through the stitch formingzone of said sewing machine, means for folding one of the longitudinaledges of each work piece into an S-shaped fold as the work piece isbeing advanced by said advancing means toward the throat plate of saidsewing machine, and means in said sewing machine for forming ablindstitch seam along a fold line of each work piece as it is beingadvanced.

7. Apparatus of. the character set forth in claim 6 having an edgetrimming mechanism in advance of said seam forming means in said sewingmachine adapted to trim the free edge of the S-shaped fold as the'workpiece is being advanced.

8. In apparatus of the character set forth inaclaim 6, said foldingmeans comprising a pair of relatively flat, elongated members disposedin parallel planes extending longitudinally in the direction in whichsaid work pieces are advanced, said members of said folding meansproviding a plurality of edges at different elevations over which saidwork pieces are folded into an S-shaped cross section as they areadvanced by said first recited means.

9. In apparatus of the character set forth in claim .8, the lowermost ofsaid members of the folding means having its work engaging edgesubstantially alined with the direction of movement of the work piecesand having its delivery end disposed approximately in line with the lineof stitching formed by said means for forming a blindstitch seam topresent a folded edge of each work piece to said stitch forming means.

it). In apparatus of the character set forth in claim 9, the, uppermostof said members of the folding means having a work engaging edgeextending laterally over said lowermost edge of the lowermost member topresent a second' folded edge of each work piece spaced laterallyfromthe line of. stitching formed by said sewing means, and a thirdsubstantially flat member incorporated in said folding means above saidpair of members for urging a portion of said work piece over'the workengaging edge' of said uppermost member.

11. In apparatus of the character set forth in claim 10, said members ofsaid folding means being adjustably interconnected to enable variationin the extent to which said edge of the uppermost member presentsa'folded edge of each work piece laterally of said line of stitching.

12. Apparatus'of the character set forth in claim 6 having means forapplying a laterally outward force to the edge portion of the work piecewhile the latter is cooperating with said folding means for uncurlingthe edge portion of said work piece and directing the same along apredetermined path as it is being advanced through and folded by saidfolding means.

13. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 12 in which said meansfor applying a laterally outward 14. Apparatus of the character setforth in claim 13 in which said means cooperating with said foldingmeans comprises also a member providing a guide portion spaced abovesaid fiat members of the folding means over which the edge portion ofeach work piece is folded by the stream of air, said guide portionextending at an angle to the longitudinal axes of the two fiat membersof said folding means.

15. Apparatus of the character set forth ni claim 12 in which said meanscooperating with said folding means comprises means for blowing tWoseparate streams of air laterally toward the work and substantially inthe plane thereof as :the work is being advanced, means providing. aguide above said folding means over which the free edge portion ofsuccessive work pieces may be blown by said blowing means, said blowingmeans being adapted to direct one stream of air against the work piecesadjacent the receiving end of said folding means and the other stream ofair against said work pieces adjacent the dclivery end of said foldingmeans.

16..Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 15 in which the firstmentioned air stream is adapted to blow the free edge of said workpieces over said means providing a guide over said folding means, andsaid second air stream is adapted to blow a fold in said work pieces ina direction lateral to and slightly in the direction of movement thereofto facilitate advance of said fold along a fold forming edge of saidfolding means.

17. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 6 having resilientmeans for urging said folding means into a position in which saidfolding means serves to direct the folded edge of each work piece intocooperation with said sewing machine for formation of the blindstitchedhem therein.

13. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim'l'l in which saidresilient means comprises a vertically resilient bracket member servingto connect the delivery end of said folding means with said sewingmachine, said resilient means also comprising a horizontally resilientbracket fixed at one end and connected at its other end with saidfolding means adjacent the receiving end thereof and serving to urgesaid folding means toward said sewing machine.

19. In apparatus of the character set forth in claim 18, said foldingmeans and said resilient brackets being so interconnected with eachother'and with said sewing machine and the work support as to providereadily disengageable notch and pin connections enabling the readyapplication and removal of said folding means in relation to said worksupport andtsaid sewing machine by simply grasping and shifting-saidfolding means.

20. Apparatus for forming and seaming herns in a succession of workpieces which comprises a sewing machine having a throat plate,anelongated work support in the plane of said throat plate, said sewingmachine and said work support being a stationary structure, meanscomprising an endless belt and driving means therefor for continuouslyadvancing a succession of work pieces in spaced relation along thesurface of said work support and delivering the same to and through thestitch forming zone of said sewing machine, means for folding one ofthelongitudinal edges of each work piece to provide .a hem as the workpiece is being advanced toward the throat plate of said sewing machine,means for releasably attaching said folding means to said stationarystructure and urging said folding means toward said throat plate, saidattaching means including a plurality of resilient members, the latterhaving readily slideable pin and cooperating opening connections forretaining said folding means in operative position in relation to saidstationary structure, said attaching means enabling said folding meansto shift to a slight extent in a vertical dircction in relation to saidstationary structure as Work pieces of varying thicknesses are advancedthrough said folding means and enabling removal of said folding means bysimply grasping and lifting the same away from the stationary structure,means for directing a stream of air laterally toward said folding meanssubstantially in the plane thereof for assisting in the formation of thefold therein, and means in said sewing machine for forming a seam alongthe fold in each work piece as it is being advanced.

21;. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 20 in which saidmeans for directinga stream of air has its discharge end adapted todirect said stream partially in ti c direction of advance of the workpieces.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 519,134 5/94Parsons l12257 1,163,220 12/15 Corey 1l2l40 1,777,804 10/30 Miller112-219 1,917,776 7/33 Sailer l12l40 1,941,452 1/34 Washburn 1l2l772,004,080 6/35 Roby l122 2,038,853 4/36 Popper 112124 2,278,042 3/42Sailer 112143 2,534,999 12/50 Stevens ll2-219 2,630,772 3/53 Edererll2-2 2,797,656 7/57 Reid 112-2 2,840,019 1/58 Beasley 112203 2,910,02810/59 Braun et a1. 112-2l9 2,950,520 8/60 Sonnino 28-64 3,099,970 8/63Hite 1l22 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS J. HICKEY, DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY,

Examiners.

6. APPARATUS FOR FORMING A BLINDSTITCH SEAM IN A FOLDED EDGE OF EACH OFA SUCCESSION OF WORK PIECES WHICH COMPRISES A SEWING MACHINE HAVING ATHROAT PLATE, AN ELONGATED WORK SUPPORT IN THE PLANE OF SAID THROATPLATE, MEANS INCORPORATED IN SAID APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ANDCONTINUOUSLY ADVANCING A SUCCESSION OF WORK PIECES IN SPACED RELATIONALONG THE SURFACE OF SAID WORK SUPPORT AND DELIVERING THE SAME TO ANDTHROUGH THE STITCH FORMING ZONE OF SAID SEWING MECHINE, MEANS FORFOLDING ONE OF THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF EACH WORK PIECE INTO ANS-SHAPED FOLD AS THE WORK PIECE IS BEING ADVANCED BY SAID ADVANCINGMEANS TOWARD THE THROAT PLATE OF SAID